The Advancing California’s Trauma Informed Systems (ACTS) project is a collaboration between the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Office of Child Abuse and Prevention (OCAP) and the Chadwick Center at Rady Children’s Hospital . The ACTS Project team is looking to expand their network of trauma-informed Child Welfare county system partners. Currently the ACTS network includes nine counties from across the state and we have openings for new partners now and also have a great...

The Essentials for Childhood Initiative is pleased to share the Building Synergy and Connections Across the Essentials for Childhood Initiative Convening Summary and Presentation Slides. The Convening Summary contains a detailed overview of the information shared and the feedback provided by the participants during the convening. You will find these documents attached below. The EfC Initiative team appreciates the speakers and coalition chairs that served as panelists and the attendees who...

On behalf of the CDSS FURS Implementation Team The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is proud to announce the launch of: Family Urgent Response System (FURS) MARCH 1, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. FURS includes a 24/7 Statewide Hotline and a 24/7 County-based Mobile Response and Stabilization !! FURS will provide current and former foster youth (up to age 21) and their caregivers with immediate, trauma-informed support by caring and trained professionals when they need it. FURS is intended...

Kidsdata has introduced a new category to their site, COVID-19 Pandemic . This new category features data that describe child and family well-being in California during the pandemic. Kidsdata will regularly release new data over the coming weeks. Topics focused on are Education, Health Care, and Social Activities, Supportive Services, Positive Childhood Experiences, and other related topics. The data cover California and seven regions within California. At the state level, findings are...

By Anita Chandra and Carolyn Miller, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, January 29, 2021 2020 was arguably one of the most difficult years in American history, challenging our resilience and surfacing enduring and systemic challenges to our collective health and well-being. As we continue to measure the pandemic’s impact on short- and long-term health, as well as other social and economic indicators, it is useful to note where we stood pre-pandemic. Understanding the conditions and trends that...

In this time of widespread change, we are acutely aware of the need for ongoing growth—for ourselves, our organizations, and our communities. The choices we make and actions we take today inform how we all will flourish in the days and years to come. Join us for “Transforming Our Tomorrow: 2021 Prevent Child Abuse America National Conference,” three days of learning and discovery, where we’ll continue to explore the needs of our communities and the impacts of our work. Please save the date...

By Cailin O'Connor, Center for the Study of Social Policy, December 2020 This report summarizes survey findings from organizational partners and members of the Strengthening Families National Network interested in using the Protective Factors Framework in their community-level approach and their viewpoints on community conditions that support child and family outcomes. Find the executive summary for the report here. [ Please click here to access the repor t.]

By Jessica Dym Bartlett and Brandon Stratford, Child Trends, January 28, 2021 The social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of children and youth is a critical aspect of human development that lays the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in five children had a diagnosed mental health disorder . While research on the pandemic’s effects on mental health is still in the early stages, current evidence shows a surge in anxiety and...

From CalEITC4me: As we prepare for the 2021 Tax Season, we are sensitive to the difficult time that many Californians are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to work with you to ensure that each and every one of them who is eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) claims it. Last year when the sheltering orders came down, we turned our in-person programs into online outreach, and as a result of our collective work more than 6.2 million...

From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): “EITC Awareness Day is a joint venture between the IRS and its many partners and stakeholders. Intensive media coverage helps us reach the broadest possible range of eligible taxpayers, including the underserved populations and the newly eligible taxpayers. EITC can increase a federal tax refund from $1 to $6,660 for qualified taxpayers. IRS estimates four of five, or 80%, of eligible taxpayers claim and get this important credit. Help us ensure the...

WestEd recently created three infographics related to workforce issues and access following screening of young children that were developed by the California State Screening Collaborative , with funding from California Department of Public Health and California Department of Developmental Services, Early Start . Please consider reviewing and sharing with your networks. The infographics are attached below.

On January 20, 2021 the California Department of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (CDPH/IVPB) and the C alifornia Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention (CDSS/OCAP)’s , Essentials for Childhood (EfC) Initiative hosted a webinar entitled, “Creating Compelling Messaging with ACEs Data”. This webinar featured presentations from Shaddai Martinez Cuestas, MPH, Strategic Communications Specialist at Berkeley Media Studies Group ; Donielle Prince, Ph.D,...